White County Sheriff Candidate: Steve Page

My name is Steve Page, and I am proud to be the only Republican Candidate in the upcoming election for the Sheriff's race. 

At 56 years old, I’ve spent my entire life rooted in the values that shaped me here in White County, Tennessee. First and foremost, I am a Christian. My faith guides me, whether I’m playing guitar and singing with my gospel group, the Singing Believers, or making decisions that impact the people I’ve been blessed to serve. 

I’m the son of the late Robert and Lois Page of DeKalb County. My wife, Tonya Burgess Page, and I have built a full life together. We raised six children and now watch our 11 grandchildren grow, each one a constant reminder of why community and commitment matter. 

Before law enforcement, I spent nearly two decades in manufacturing. I worked 10- and 12-hour shifts, and in the evenings, I pushed myself through Criminal Justice courses to earn my degree. Those years were defining. They taught me the value of perseverance and prepared me for the leadership roles I eventually held, supervising around 40 employees and working alongside people who were doing everything they could to support their families. 

Coaching was another major part of my early adult life. For 27 years, I worked with kids at a variety of levels in baseball and basketball, trying to teach discipline, teamwork, and confidence. Those are the same values I still hope that I am encouraging in the young people of White County. 

In 2010, I fulfilled a lifelong dream when I put myself through the police academy and entered law enforcement. I was hired by the White County Sheriff’s Department and was humbled to receive the William Hickey Deputy of the Year award during my first year, an honor I credit to hard work and a dedication to serve this county. 

I began on patrol, serving as a road deputy for about two years before working my way into the detective division. In 2015, the United States Attorney General awarded me the prestigious Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement for my hard work and dedication to criminal investigations.  

In 2017, I made the decision to run for Sheriff of White County. Out of respect for the sitting sheriff, I stepped away from White County and worked with the Baxter Police Department for ten months while conducting my campaign. In 2018, the people of White County placed their trust in me and elected me as Sheriff. 

I have been blessed with eight successful years serving the citizens of White County and helping build a Sheriff’s Office that our community can be proud of and trust. Within one year of taking office, the jail was certified — something that had not been accomplished in several years, even as the state had warned it might step in if improvements were not made. Since then, the jail has remained certified every year. In 2025, the facility also received a Tier 1 certification, a distinction it had never achieved before. 

During my time as sheriff, our office has also been recognized for several achievements. We received the Handle With Care Award for our work to better understand and safely respond to mental health crises. Our administrator was honored with the State Jail Administrator of the Year Award, and we recently reintroduced the D.A.R.E. program, with several of our officers now certified to lead it. In addition, our recidivism rate is the lowest it has ever been, showing that we are making meaningful progress in rehabilitating those who spend time in our jail. 

My focus moving forward remains the same as it has been since I first entered law enforcement: serving the people of White County with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to public safety. 

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